禪林寶訓 3.55

3.55

Miaoxi said to Zishao: “Among those who directed the Dharma in recent times, none was like Zhenru Zhe; for ably assisting the monastic grove, none was like Yangqi. Commentators say: Ciming was straightforward and acted heedlessly, showing utterly no hesitation or taboo; Yangqi served him selflessly, fearing only that he would not be thorough and that affairs would not be accomplished. Though braving bitter cold and sweltering heat, he never showed impatience or laziness for his own sake. Beginning from Nanyuan and concluding at Xinghua, for nearly thirty years he took charge of the administrative regulations, ceasing only with the end of Ciming's life. As for Zhenru, from the time he first bound his bundle for pilgrimage until he responded to the world to lead disciples, he forgot himself for the sake of the Dharma, not unlike one starving and parched. In haste and turmoil he never showed agitated countenance nor rushed speech. In summer he did not prop open the window; in winter he did not approach the fire. His single room was serene and secluded, with dust gathering across the desk. He once said: ‘If monastics internally lack lofty clarity and farsighted vision, and externally lack strict teachers and good friends, few will ever become accomplished vessels.’ Therefore, at that time obstinate persons such as Fu of the Iron Feet and unyielding persons such as Xiu of Yuantong all yielded upon beholding his wind. Alas, these two elders are truly models for monastics across a thousand years!” (Ke'an jiwen).